Hospital and county report progress on mental health holds and diversion center planning

County and hospital officials updated supervisors on local mental health response, crisis stabilization unit (CSU) operations and progress toward a diversion center.

Nico said regular CSU meetings with stakeholders are producing "very passionate" participation and that the CSU—s accuracy and performance have improved. He noted House Bill 1404 (referred to in the meeting) includes provisions routing substance-use cases through the circuit court process similar to mental-health cases, and he said the county—s CSU committee is tracking that change to avoid unintended consequences.

Hospital staff said they currently handle about 8 to 10 mental-health holds per day and that keeping those patients safe and directing them to appropriate care is "really important." Nico told the board that Memorial had not previously submitted reimbursement requests to cities or the county for site holds but that a mechanism exists; the hospital will begin submitting reimbursement bills to recover some operating costs. He also said the hospital had invested about $6,000,000 in operations and maintenance (O&M) for site support and expressed hope that funding to cover O&M would be provided.

Panel participants praised county progress on planning a diversion center and encouraged timely funding so the facility can be completed. The board and hospital did not adopt new policy at the meeting but discussed continuing coordination among the sheriff—s office, police and the CSU committee to prevent regression in service quality during high-demand seasons like cold weather.

No formal vote was taken; staff said they will continue to pursue funding and operational coordination and will return with updates.